Nurses on Long Island are being accused of collecting more than $1.5 million. It would be for selling forged COVID-19 vaccination cards. This is according to the district attorney’s office in Long Island in Suffolk County.
Nurses and Fake Vaccination Cards
Julie DeVuono, the nurses, who own Wild Child Pediatric Healthcare in Amityville, a village area in Long Island. Also Marissa Urraro, her employee. They sold fake vaccination cards. Plus they entered false information into New York’s immunization database. It was what the prosecutors said. Therefore, they did charge $220 for forged cards for adults and $85 for children. This was according to the district attorney’s office.
On Friday, Ms. DeVuono, 49, and Ms. Urraro, 44 were actually arraigned on Friday. Each woman was charged with one count of second-degree forgery. DeVuono, in addition, was also charged with one count of offering a false instrument for filing.
Ms. Urraro’s lawyer, Michael Alber, has said she has entered a plea of not guilty. It has been released without bail.
Legal Impediments and Defects
“Also, we are going to look forward to highlighting the legal impediments and defects in this investigation,” Mr. Alber said. “There is an accusation that should not overshadow the good work. Moreover, Ms. Urraro has done for children and adults in the medical field.”
In fact, Ms. DeVuono’s lawyer is not in fact be reached for comment.
Therefore, during their arraignment on Friday, the prosecutors did accuse the women of forging a vaccine card. It was for an undercover detective. However, the vaccine has not been administered.
The law enforcement, prosecutors did say, moreover searched Ms. DeVuono’s home. About $900,000 were seized in cash and a ledger. Therefore, it was suggested in that they made $1.5 million. This was concerning a scheme from November to January.
“In fact, we hope this will send a message to others. Moreover, then considering gaming the system is going to get caught. Then, enforce the law to the fullest extent,” the Suffolk County district attorney, Raymond A. Tierney, said in a statement.
In a statement, Rodney K. Harrison, the Suffolk County police commissioner, “As with the nurses, then these two individuals should have been understanding. It was in regard to the importance of legitimate vaccination cards. Then we will work together to protect public health.”
Facing charges for vaccine card forgery in recent months, nurses in other Southern states
